Motion stakes out rugged tablet market space at CES2011

The Motion CL900 is being touted as the first “ultra-light, rugged Tablet PC”. We’re not sure if this means it comes equipped with 4-wheel drive or a winch but Motion is definitely trying to define their market niche.

Passing the four foot drop test, weighing in at just over 2 pounds and equipped with an exterior that apparently protects from moisture and dust, Motion wants their tablet to be the one that will dominate field and construction sites.

The tablet runs Windows 7 which makes it an easy fit for business integration and is powered by the upcoming “Oak Trail” Intel Atom processor so processing speed should be 1.5Ghz. The tablet comes equipped with either a 30GB or 62GB SSD and up to 2GB of RAM which should be sufficient for most enterprise users at $1000 each.

The 10.1” screen is both touch and stylus input which is nice and it’s equipped with front and rear-facing cameras which is the new norm and a perk for those into videoconferencing. It’s also got a Corning Gorila Glass display which apparently offers greater durability and scratch resistance and DuPont Vertak which should offer better visibility in various lighting conditions.

The new Motion CL900 offers dual touch and stylus input, a rugged design and robust connectivity for on-the-go collaboration

2011 International CES AUSTIN, Texas & LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Motion®, a leading global provider of tablet PCs and supporting mobility solutions, announced today from the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), its first small form factor, rugged tablet PC designed for productivity and business integration. The Motion® CL900 is a robust tablet with a flexible feature set that enables access to and utilization of data while mobile. Motion will be showcasing the tablet PC at the Hilton Las Vegas (LVCC), Suite #377, offering media and analysts the option to take video, preview and experience the tablet throughout CES. The CL900 is expected to be available early in the second quarter of 2011.

“Motion’s new CL900 will enable users to take advantage of connected applications, while also supporting uninterrupted productivity in remote or disconnected areas” “Motion’s new CL900 will enable users to take advantage of connected applications, while also supporting uninterrupted productivity in remote or disconnected areas,” said David Altounian, Motion CEO. “We’ve combined our trademark rugged design and robust solution set with the connectivity and portability of a tablet that is designed and built for business.”

Architected for Versatility

The new Motion CL900 is built based on customer demand for a mobile and integrated device that offers the capabilities to support mobile workflows. Architected for future expansion, the CL900 will feature a peripheral module that will enable simple device expansion. Tightly secured and integrated into the device, the peripheral module will incorporate key documentation tools without compromising durability. Peripheral modules will be released later in 2011.

Connected, Light and Rugged

The CL900 maximizes mobility and portability. From the hospital to the job site or retail store, the tablet will stand up to harsh conditions, while enabling real-time collaboration and access to information. Advanced durability, connectivity and mobility features include:

Up to eight hours of battery life for all-day, uninterrupted productivity Lightweight and rugged design that offers the protection of the MIL-STD-810G specification (four foot drop test) at only 2.1 pounds and less than 16mm thick IP-52 rated exterior to protect against dust, moisture and other elements Optional integrated Gobi™ 3000 mobile broadband with GPS, 802.11 a/b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth® 3.0, and a wireless SIM port for advanced communications Display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass display for added durability and scratch resistance and incorporated DuPont Vertak™ to improve visibility in various lighting conditions “The CL900 meets one of the fastest growing areas of Enterprise demand in the current refresh cycle; business-ready tablet devices that improve worker productivity and meet security and compliance needs,” said Eddie O’Brien, Microsoft U.S. OEM Vice President. “By harnessing the power of the Microsoft platform to introduce a new and innovative form factor that supports significant mobile functionality and easily integrates into existing business infrastructures, Motion can differentiate itself to reach across industries and compete for new lines of business.”

Built for Business Integration

The CL900 was designed to integrate seamlessly into business environments. Running Microsoft® Windows® 7 and powered by the upcoming Intel® Atom™ processor currently codenamed “Oak Trail,” the CL900 balances power, performance and battery life. Additionally, IT serviceability and enterprise support options help ensure uptime and reduce IT resource drain. Business benefits include:

The ability to run existing applications, lowering the cost of deployment The performance needed to simultaneously run multiple enterprise applications Bright display that offers the convenience of both touch and stylus input 30GB or 62GB solid state drive (SSD), and up to 2GB of RAM The new Intel Atom processor is specifically designed for tablet PCs and mobile workflows that require a balance of productivity and battery life. An enhanced version of the Atom line of processors, “Oak Trail” will offer the responsiveness, security and manageability required for mobile users in business environments.

“Motion’s latest tablet is a perfect example of the power and productivity available in enterprise-based mobility solutions,” said René Torres, director of marketing, Netbook and Tablet Group, Intel. “With the power and performance of our upcoming ‘Oak Trail’ Intel Atom processor, along with the mobility and durability of the CL900, Motion is delivering an ideal productivity tool for workers on the move.”

Versatile and Configurable

Additionally, the unique design of the CL900 offers multiple optional features and connectivity ports to improve functionality for a variety of different uses. Documentation and expansion features include:

Front and rear-facing cameras to support documentation, video conferencing and collaboration A full complement of ports, including USB, SD Card, audio and video to simplify the use of industry standard peripheral solutions A unique countertop docking station that optimizes the CL900 for touch input and adds a simple and easy way to integrate peripherals A variety of cases and straps to accommodate multiple usage patterns Powerful and Affordable

With a planned starting MSRP of less than U.S. $1000 the CL900 offers a competitive entry price point to other tablet PCs with a unique, rugged design that supports a lower total cost of ownership over non-rugged devices. The CL900 will be available to ship early in the second quarter of 2011 while the optional peripheral module will be available later in the first half of the year. For more information on the CL900 or to register for product updates, please visit the CL900 Product Page. To access high resolution product photos please visit the CL900 Images Page.

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